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by Be Still – Jason Silver Sings Scripture
“Lord, how long wilt Thou look on? Rescue my soul from their ravages, my only
life from the lions. I will give Thee
thanks in the great congregation; I will praise Thee among a mighty
throng. Do not let those who are
wrongfully my enemies rejoice over me; neither let those who hate me without
cause wink maliciously.
“For they do not speak peace, but they devise deceitful
words against those who are quiet in the land.
And they opened their mouth wide against me; they said, ‘Aha, aha, our
eyes have seen it!’” Psalm 35:17-21
“Save me, O God, for the waters have threatened my life. I have sunk in deep mire, and there is no
foothold; I have come into deep waters, and a flood overflows me. I am weary with my crying; my throat is
parched; my eyes fail while I wait for my God.
“Those who hate me without a cause are more than the
hairs of my head; those who would destroy me are powerful, being wrongfully my
enemies, what I did not steal, I then have to restore.” Psalm 69:1-4
“’This I command you, that you love one another. If the world hates you, you know that it has
hated Me before it hated you. If you
were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the
world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.
“’Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A slave is not
greater than his master.’ If they
persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word, they will
keep yours also. But all these things
they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know the One who
sent Me.’” John 15:17-21
We typically reserved the word ‘hate’ for expressing a
seriously big feelings about something or someone. Yet, it has become increasingly normal to use
the word more broadly today, removing its impact.
The original meaning of hatred in Scripture, connects the
feeling with the emotion of jealousy (think of Joseph and his brothers who took
their jealousy to the act of killing him).
It is malicious and unjustifiable feelings towards others, innocent or
not.
It was not a word used lightly in the Bible and we should always
carefully consider our use of the word.
Jealous-hatred followed Jesus and His followers and was the excuse
rulers used to crucify Him, thinking that would be the end of it. But God’s hand is never thwarted!
Take care with love, especially His, Darlene (who still
prays for you each day)
PS: Find my
statement of faith: https://especiallyhislove.blogspot.com (where you
will also find a series of beginner Bible studies to share). You can easily
find the WeakDay Devotion online by doing a Google search for ‘WeakDay
Devotion’. (Also, there is an android ‘Google Blogger’ app
you can download to read them on your phone.
Not sure about Apple.). For the
books, go Amazon
books.
NEW PRAYER REQUESTS (any
updates?)
· URGENT – Unprecedented
Floods in New South Wales, Australia – For
nearly a month, heavy rains have pelted the state and are expected to continue
for at least another 7-10 days. The build-up
has grown to unprecedented, life-changing floods. Please pray for the families who have lost
loved ones, for all those who are losing their homes and all their possessions,
for those who are presently engaged in rescue, care and support of those
affected.
· URGENT - The horror
of war in Ukraine – Russia has
attacked and intends to capture the entire country of Ukraine and bring it to
its knees. Please pray for the people of
this country as they fight to save their freedoms and pray God sends help in
unexpected ways to thwart the bully of Russia from the potential devastation of
a third world war.
· Thanksgiving - Mark –
Returned home and will have a long recovery from the extensive surgery on his
shattered jaw. Please pray for him and
his family -- that they will be sustained financially through this challenging
time and pray for his patience and good sense as his family helps him through
this time of recovery.
·
Simon and Tamara and
their children – Simon (my pastor) has been chosen to support the Lord’s
work in a new, more far-reaching way.
Help them prepare throughout this year for the new challenges that await
them. And when Simon takes up the new
role, let him fill it with the same grace, devotion and love he has
consistently demonstrated while at St. Marks.
Strengthen the congregation to rejoice with them and their decision.
·
Ray Jr. –Pray the Lord holds Ray Jr. (and his brothers)
closely as they deal with the practical matters after the loss of their father
and comfort their hearts. Give Kathy (Ray’s wife) strength and wisdom as she
supports him during this time.
·
Christine – give her strength as she journeys to
heart-healing.
·
Family of Eric – Eric at 52 died suddenly leaving his
47-year-old wife and three girls (ages 16, 19 and 23). Pray the Lord comforts the family through
this time of mourning. Pray for their
wisdom and that Go-d will send trustworthy, honourable, Bible-based councilors
for the many decisions that now must be made.
·
Grant’s brother
- still has quite severe headaches. Had
a shunt put in his skull to drain fluid from around the brain, as the fluid was
putting pressure on the brain and affecting balance. Pray for his health carers
as they work to adjust the flow rate and help minimise the pressure.
· Peyton - eldest granddaughter of Jeff and
Rachael – now in her second year of college.
Please continue to pray for her that she does well, makes good decisions
and continues having a good relationship with the Lord.
·
Thanksgiving - Adam – he has found a job, but continues to need
encouragement and clear guidance from the Lord about his future and to know
without doubt the depth of the Lord’s extravagant forgiveness. Continue to pray for the strength of his wife
that she will allow the Lord to love and support him as he continues to heal
and strengthen.
·
Barb –
my brother’s faithful and kind wife.
Thank you for praying for her.
She needs prayers to sustain her and protect her health and energy
during this time of additional stress and challenge at work.
·
Sophie – three-year old daughter of a friend. She is chronically unwell and frail. Please pray for her, her parents and health
carers to find ways to manage the symptoms and heal her.
·
Hans –
a dear friend in Germany, the cancer seems to be stable for now. Pray for his financial situation to improve
and for his ongoing strength through the pain when it comes. Pray for his patience and God’s mercy. Pray for his healthcare providers and that he
is surrounded by faithful and compassionate Christian friends who will support
him through this journey. Pray for his
Mom (age 84) who is also unwell -- that their time together is filled with
extraordinary good memories and lots of love.
·
Callilah
- a lost child. Pray the Lord will
capture her heart.
Pray for those in full-time service
Pray to uphold our Christian leaders – that they never compromise God’s Word, are bold and courageous in the face of evil. Pray for their wisdom, safety, ingenuity, strength and for their families.
Pray for those with ongoing health concerns
Many of us have family, friends and loved ones with fragile health. Pray God takes special care with them and protects them in practical ways and that the Lord will have mercy on them during this challenging time.
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